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ALTER AQUA: Non Conventional Water Resources Programme in Malta

The Alter Aqua - Non Conventional Water Resources Programme in Malta is a multi-stakeholder initiative aimed at mobilising Non Conventional Water Resources (NCWR) to increase water availability in a sustainable, cost-effective way and promote a new water culture, at both a local and a national level.

The Global Water Partnership - Mediterranean, the Ministry for Energy and Health, the Ministry for Gozo and the Eco-Gozo Project, as well as The Coca-Cola Foundation and The General Soft Drinks Co. Ltd. have joined forces for its implementation. It commenced its activities in November 2011, and during its first recently completed phase (2011-2013) that was implemented in Gozo, it benefited from a $800.000 Grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation, plus co-funding of $440,000 by the Ministry for Gozo. The Coca-Cola Foundation recently announced an additional $340,000 Grant over the next two years (2014-2015), amounting to a total $1.14 million investment in the Maltese islands. Alter Aqua Phase Two will focus on both Malta and Gozo.

The Programmes activities that include the installation and reinstatement of NCWR systems (rainwater harvesting, stormwater management and greywater reuse systems) in selected public buildings and areas, educational hands-on activities for school students, teacher training seminars, capacity-building workshops for local authorities, trainings for local technicians, as well as awareness raising on NCWR and sustainable water use among the general public. The educational activities are designed and implemented in collaboration with the Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture & Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE), the Mediterranean Education Initiative for Environment & Sustainability (MEdIES), Nature Trust Malta (NTM) and the EkoSkola Programme.

In total, during the first phase of the Alter Aqua Programme implemented in the island of Gozo, 4 rainwater harvesting systems were installed in schools in Kerem, Sannat, {ebbu! and G'arb; 6 rainwater harvesting systems were reinstated in schools in Sannat, Xag'ra, San Lawrenz and the Gozo Experimental Farm; a grey water reuse system was installed at the Gozo Football Stadium and a storm water management application was implemented in Ramla Valley, where rubble walls were constructed along the valley for storm water retention aimed at increased rainwater capacity for irrigation purposes in agriculture, as well as aquifer recharge.

Moreover, approximately 3,200 students were educated about sustainable water management and consumption, 255 teachers were trained and a STENCIL Award was given to the school programme for the best science-related innovative education material in Malta and in Europe. Furthermore, 48 technicians were trained, 18 stakeholders participated in the capacity-building workshops, while it is estimated that there have been a total of 30,000 beneficiaries from the NCWR systems and awareness-raising activities.

Moreover, the Alter Aqua interactive online game was launched by GWP-Med, a special application designed as a helpful tool to raise awareness and sensitize primary and secondary school students, as well as adults, to audit water consumption and promote the use of NCWR at domestic level and water saving in everyday life.